Obama's speech to our children

[madisondrew]

I do not know how many people have any opinion on this but I for one I am ticked off! From what we have been told, teachers were not even notified that Madison schools were even participating until this morning in an e-mail to them from admin. We have not been given a note home or anything. Most schools that are going to participate have sent info home and given parents an option to opt out. I think we will have a lot of surprised and angry parents come Tue. afternoon. I for one am thinking seriously about keeping my kids home. Maybe I am the only one in Madison that has a problem with him addressing our kids but something just does not feel right about the whole thing. What is really nice is on a Friday afternoon at 4:00pm there is no way I can call anyone and Tue. will be too late. I am very disappointed in our school system, this was not required only encouraged and we have once again jumped when they say jump. If anyone else feels the same as me, spread the word and keep your kids home.

[papredoll]

I PMd the Voice.

[canadianbacon]

When I saw this on the national news the other day I asked my son if he had been told about it by any of his teachers and he hadn't. I feel like parents should have been told about it and that it should also have been an activity that required a permission slip such as the ones used for field trips. I have not yet decided if I will send him to school Tuesday or not. My decision will not be based upon who the president is so much as it will be based upon what I feel is appropriate for my child to participate in at school. Older children especially are capable of starting to form political opinions and I feel that there is a possibility the views of some teachers may be voiced in the classroom during this speech and therefore the kids may feel pressured to say or write things (if they are in fact going to have them do the "lesson plan" that was mentioned on the news) that they may not necessarily agree with because they want to please their teachers. I will be giving this a lot of thought over the weekend.

[papredoll]

It's already posted on Madison Voice!

[starkiller]

12 noon EDT. Is the time Tuesday. It will be posted on the whitehouse website monday. I would read it, and then make the decision concerning keeping children at home. Keep and Open mind about it is all that I think anyone should after the read the speech and make the decision. Maybe even attend school that day if school permits.

[madisondrew]

Canadianbacon has it right. We should have been informed and we should have been a given a choice. I am also not comfortable w/ the way this is being presented as I also am unsure of the teachers or others opinions coming out. Our kids are very immpressionable and we need to be careful the things they hear, it is our right as parents to be able monitor those things. I have one child I think could handle watching it and forming his own opinion, while my other two are still quite young. If he wanted to address our kids I would have been more comfortable in our home where we could discuss what he was talking about w/ our kids. Our president has made a lot of poor decisions in his short time already and here will be another to add to his list.

[Laura]

Whats going on here? I mean, what happened or is going to happen?

I don't watch main-stream media seeing as how all they do is lie.

If you don't ever do anything else for your country, do this one thing - HOME SCHOOL your children. They are being indoctrinated by gov't employees. (no offense to teachers, I think most teachers' hearts are in the right place but they have been swindled by an institution that doesn't allow them to teach as they would like. Teachers learn the stuff that is fed to them and then turn around and regurgitate it to your young and impressionable children.)

NOW is the time for action. They are giving us clues, and Americans just flip the channel. By the time it hits you full force, it will be too late.

[elmo]

Papermoon, kind of hard to home school your children when both parents these days have to work long hours just to make ends meet.

But that is back to that money thing we all need to survive, I know you feel different and it would be nice if things worked that way, but in this society they don't.

We also must be diligent in policing what is taught to our children in school, we need to have conversations with them daily, be involved in every aspect of their daily life, homework, athletic events the works. When I was growing up we had dinner as a family every night, and at that dinner table we talked about our day, shared things that went on or that we may have needed help with, I was fortunate enough to continue this tradition with my children growing up, and I just feel as families we have become way toooo busy to have that "Family Meal"

So many children today are being raised by the TV, Video Game, DVD Player, Grandparents, Siblings and anyone or anything else that can occupy their time, as the parent or parent's are to busy working to bother or absent altogether.

I once had a Catholic School Nun/Principal tell me that I as the parent of my child was an extension of the church, not the church being an extension of the parent. My child was removed from that school that day. Education starts at home, but we must be proactive in determining what are children are being taught at school, tv, peers etc is an extension of our belief's our wants and desires for our children s life's, when you choose to let others raise your children then you have given away your right as a parent, you are just a sometime babysitter.

All I am saying is if you "Choose" to become a "Parent" then act like one. No one gives you a guide on what to do, in this day and time and for many years past, having children is just a product of sex, Whoops!

[Laura]

I agree, it is hard to homeschool when the parents both work. But you have the ability to make that decision for yourself and for your life. We have to remember who we are. No person, or government, or god, or job should be given the power (by us) to dictate how we are supposed to live OUR OWN LIVES. You are in control of your life. Don't forget that. If you do, then someone or something else will step in and start making your choices for you.

I'm not trying to tell you what to do. I don't think I have all the answers. Everyone's life is different and we each have to do what we can with what we have. But if you really feel strongly about homeschooling, then you will find a way to make that happen for your child.

My belief is that if you share your thoughts and what you hold dear with those people who love and care about you, then you will have support and you will be provided for. I believe that the world works in mysterious ways when we follow our hearts and stand true to our beliefs.

[thinking1]

Papermoon: were you homeschooled or did you attend public/government school?

I went to public school and I think I turned out well. Of course, my parents had more to do with that than public school! In fact, I was "homeschooled" in values, ethics, responsibility, curiosity, reasoning, etc. As I get older, I appreciate my childhood more and realize what a great job my parents did!

That is where Madison (and a lot of the U.S.) fails its children: at home! Are parents sending their children to school equipped to learn? Do they teach them how to learn? Do they reinforce what the school is teaching? Do they even ask them about their day and discuss what they learned? Sadly, many do not.

Maybe President Obama is attempting to do something to change that. His message is supposed to be about the importance of students taking responsibility for their education, challenging them to set goals and do everything they can to succeed.

All of those messages are things they should be hearing at home already. But since most do not, I think it is great that the President is telling them!

Whether they like Obama or not, parents should use this opportunity to have a conversation with their children.

[deanna39]

At last! Someone who has some sense!! I have never in my entire life been so embarassed by the narrow mindedness. For heavens sake, this is our president doing what presidents before him have done. He is NOT Adolph Hitler, about to corrupt the minds of the children in this country. It is for sure that someone had better do something about our educational system in this country because parents have failed miserably..

[papredoll]

It can get a little...let's just say "vanilla" in Madison.

[canadianbacon]

My problem with this is not that it is being done my problem is I want my child to form his educated opinions about all things on his own with encouragement and support from me and I think as his parent I have a right to know when activities like this are planned and what they will consist of. My son deeply respects most of his teachers and what they have to say so I would not want him to be influenced by their personal views as I do not push mine on him. I am not saying that will happen but the potential is there and that is the unsettling part. Independent thought is wonderful and encouraged in my home. I send him to school to prepare him academically for the future and I do hope that I am doing the absolute best job I can to ensure he is successful in all his future endeavors. We as parents (if we pay attention) do have the opportunity to give our input, permission, etc... for much of what goes on during school hours I would have liked to be made aware of this.

I think the public/private schooling vs. homeschooling thing is a double edged sword. On one hand homeschooling gives the parent almost complete control over what the child is exposed to yet it does not prepare them to enter the world one day equipped with the social skills they develop in a group setting. I also wonder if going out in to the world after homeschooling is an overwhelming experience for some, I know it would be for me. I was lucky enough to stay home with my son for the first 2 years of his life before I went back to work but when I placed him in daycare he had trouble sharing with other kids even though I tried to encourage that at home as best I could, but he is an only child so it was not something he was used to.

[canadianbacon]

Sept 5, 2009 10:15:33 GMT -5 deanna39 said:

At last! Someone who has some sense!! I have never in my entire life been so embarassed by the narrow mindedness. For heavens sake, this is our president doing what presidents before him have done. He is NOT Adolph Hitler, about to corrupt the minds of the children in this country. It is for sure that someone had better do something about our educational system in this country because parents have failed miserably..

Not to be confrontational but as a parent I do not feel that I am failing. None of us can predict the future but judging by the young man my son is becoming I feel confident that he will be a constructive member of society throughout his life, and hopefully a great parent one day. I agree that many parents could and should do better, but please don't generalize us all as failures that is truly an unfair statement. I am sure that is not what you intended but it struck a cord.

As far as narrow mindedness goes, I did not grow up here and my parents ensured that I had the opportunity to experience more than a few square miles of the world, and for that I am forever grateful. I do see this trait in some Madison county citizens and it is sad. I believe that much of it is simply ignorance because they have been sheltered by their families and for lack of a better word "programmed" in to believing the hype instead of looking past what they have been told all of their lives and making some discoveries of their own.

[Laura]

Sept 5, 2009 9:46:39 GMT -5 thinking1 said:

Papermoon: were you homeschooled or did you attend public/government school?

I went to public school and I think I turned out well. Of course, my parents had more to do with that than public school! In fact, I was "homeschooled" in values, ethics, responsibility, curiosity, reasoning, etc. As I get older, I appreciate my childhood more and realize what a great job my parents did!

That is where Madison (and a lot of the U.S.) fails its children: at home! Are parents sending their children to school equipped to learn? Do they teach them how to learn? Do they reinforce what the school is teaching? Do they even ask them about their day and discuss what they learned? Sadly, many do not.

Maybe President Obama is attempting to do something to change that. His message is supposed to be about the importance of students taking responsibility for their education, challenging them to set goals and do everything they can to succeed.

All of those messages are things they should be hearing at home already. But since most do not, I think it is great that the President is telling them!

Whether they like Obama or not, parents should use this opportunity to have a conversation with their children.

I went to public school. President Obama is a joke. He is a puppet. Its not personal. I think he is a good public speaker and he could be a good man. But look who he is working for, and I'm not talking about the US Gov't. Look at the people behind the Gov't. Google the Bilderberg Group, the J.P. Morgan family, Rockefeller, the Rothchilds, the British Empire, the Federal Reserve for crying out loud. THEY OWN US. Its a big, powerful, wealthy club, and you aren't in it!!!!!!!

President Obama is doing what other presidents have done because THEY ALL HAVE THE SAME AGENDA. (Except for Kennedy and look what happened to him. But I'm sure you don't think the govt had anything to do with that. Do you remember the last speech he made before being executed? This may refresh your memory: www.youtube.com/watch?v=0s2xyzcqIbQ Another example would be the Gulf of Tonkin incident. This was the excuse for the US to enter the Vietnam War. AND IT WAS A COMPLETE LIE.)They ARE NOT on your side and they DO NOT have your best interests at heart. Let me tell you why, because if they did, things wouldn't be the way they are. We wouldn't have to fight wars to make peace. We wouldn't have to worry so much about getting cancer because ALL food would be organic and safe, doctors would CURE diseases instead of suppressing symptoms and making people sicker with dangerous pharmaceuticals, we would have renewable energy and not have to murder innocent people in other countries so we can install a govt that cooperates w/ the U.S. and sells us cheap oil, there would be no secrets held by our leaders, people would share and everyone would have enough. Poverty, drugs, crime, GREED, all that would subside. Its is possible, all 6 BILLION of us can get along, or at least agree to disagree peacefully....but the powers-that-be, the ONE PERCENT of the population with all the freggin money don't want it like that. Because that would mean we wouldn't need them anymore. We wouldn't need them to fight our wars, or teach our children, we wouldn't need them to make our health better.

Its time to wake up, sleepy ones. Where is your LIBERTY? How many times will the US Govt fail you before you have had enough? When its too late?? If you want to live that way, you have every right to. That is why they call this a Free country. You are free to do whatever they tell you. Go to work, buy your food, pay your light bill, get some new clothes. That is what they want you to do. Don't you dare step out of line though. Or else they are coming for you and everything you think you own. We are free to live how we want, as long as its how they say you can live. And if they can't keep control by FEAR, then they'll get it through Force.

Lets take a look at Hitler. He didn't just show up one day and say, "Hey, you don't have any rights anymore." No, he used what is called Tip-Toe Totalitarianism, boiling the frog, if you will. Slow and steady is the way they work. Bit by bit they whittle us down until one day you wake up, you're 80 years old and you've done absolutely nothing in your life that has made the world a better place for anyone. Its time to WAKE UP. Follow your heart. Don't compromise who you are. Feel good. Love EVERYONE, especially those that seem to do things just to make you angry.
We can change this. We have to try because the limited few that are in charge now ARE NOT giving a hill of beans about what is in our future. All they see is world domination, they want power over living human beings. Power that cannot be bought, because they already have all the pleasures that money can buy. They want power through politics, world politics. It sounds crazy to you because you live in Madison, FL. Not much wrong going on here. No military on the streets. No one burning down buildings or stepping out of line here, no sir.

Marinate on this for a minute-
“The apocalypse is not something which is coming. The apocalypse has arrived in major portions of the planet and it's only because we live within a bubble of incredible privilege and social insulation that we still have the luxury of anticipating the apocalypse. "

Here's my solution, and you might not even have to take time off work to do it. GO TO THE STREETS. Meet your neighbor in the street and talk to them about what's happening, talk to them about what's on your mind. YELL and SHOUT. Let your voice be heard. REACH OUT to your Earth Family, your brothers and sisters. We are all in this together. No one is free when others are oppressed. Don't sit at home in your bubble of luxury and type about how things are bad and someone should do something...TAKE ACTION. Stop supporting what you KNOW IS WRONG. We vote with our wallets everyday and every time we make a purchase. Make changes in your life. EDUCATE yourself about the 'conspiracy theories", there is a lot of truth to be found in them. CHANGE your perspective of things. Do whatever you can.